Recording medium storage case

ABSTRACT

A recording medium storage case includes: a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recording medium storage case constructed so as to be capable of storing recording media.

2. Description of the Related Art

As one example of this type of recording medium storage case, a cassette storage case (hereinafter simply “storage case”) disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H09-165084 is known. This storage case includes an enclosure, a lid, and a fold-over cover, and is constructed so as to capable of storing two types of video tape cassette (as one example, a VHS video tape cassette and an MII-type video tape cassette). When a VHS video tape cassette is stored in this storage case, pressing portions formed on a frame of the enclosure contact side surfaces of the VHS video tape cassette and a holding portion formed on the frame contacts the rear surface of the VHS video tape cassette. On the other hand, when an MII-type video tape cassette is stored in this storage case, the pressing portions contact side surfaces of the MII-type video tape cassette and inner surfaces of the frame contact both the front surface and the rear surface of the MII-type video tape cassette. Accordingly, regardless of which of the two types of video tape cassette is stored in the case, the video tape cassette is prevented from rattling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By investigating the storage case described above, the present inventors found the following problem. Although the storage case can store two types of video tape cassette, the case is only capable of storing one video tape cassette at a time. On the other hand, DV (digital video tape) cassettes used in compact digital video cameras that have become widespread in recent years are small and extremely portable compared to VHS video tape cassettes. It is therefore common for users to carry a plurality of cassettes when recording video images. In keeping with such usage, a storage case should preferably be able to store a plurality of cassettes. Also, when a large number of DV cassettes are stored in storage cases on a shelf or the like, if the DV cassettes are all stored in separate storage cases, it can be troublesome to have to open and close a separate storage case for each DV cassette. For this reason also, a storage case should preferably be able to store a plurality of DV cassettes. However, since the conventional storage case described above is only capable of storing a single video tape cassette, it has poor usability for the uses described above, to which improvement is hoped to be made. Although it would be conceivable to double the volume of the enclosure of the storage case described above to make it possible to store two video tape cassettes, when only one video tape cassette is stored, there would be the problem of the video tape cassette rattling, resulting in the storage case failing to achieve the fundamental object of a storage case, i.e., to protect a video tape cassette. In this way, it is not enough to simply increase the volume of the enclosure.

The present invention was conceived in view of the problem described above and it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a recording medium storage case that has improved usability when carrying and storing recording media without sacrificing the storage case's ability to properly protect the recording media.

To achieve the stated object, a recording medium storage case according to the present invention includes: a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.

According to this recording medium storage case, by including a case body that forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media when the first case and the second case are fitted together and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed, when storing one recording medium, the recording medium can be reliably held without rattling by the holding member. Conversely, when storing two recording media, the recording media can be reliably held without rattling by the case body. That is, with this recording medium storage case, regardless of whether one recording medium is being stored or whether two recording media are being stored, the recording media can be reliably held without rattling. Accordingly, regardless of whether one recording medium is being stored and/or carried or whether two recording media are being stored and/or carried, the same recording medium storage case can be used without affecting the fundamental object of the recording medium storage case, that is, to properly protect the recording media, thereby sufficiently improving usability for users.

It is possible to use a construction where cutaway portions are formed in edges of the opening in the holding member. With this construction, when a recording medium is taken out of the opening in the holding member, the recording medium can be held between the user's fingers that have been inserted into the cutaway portions. This means that the recording medium can be easily taken out of the holding member.

It is also possible to construct the second case so as to include: a main plate; outer walls disposed at edges of the main plate; and at least one partition wall that is disposed on the main plate and together with the outer walls defines two mounting regions in which the recording media can be mounted. With this construction, it is possible to have two recording media reliably held by the outer walls and the partition wall(s) by merely mounting the recording media in the defined mounting regions, thereby improving the operability when storing two recording media.

It is also possible to use a construction where the main plate is rectangularly formed, the outer walls are formed at least one pair of opposite edges of the main plate, and cutaway portions are formed in the outer walls at respective central portions in a length direction of the outer walls. With this construction, it is easy for the user to take hold of a recording medium mounted on the main plate of the second case between his/her fingers. It is also possible to avoid contact between the user's fingers and the outer walls when a recording medium held between the user's fingers is mounted on the main plate. This means it is easy to take a recording medium off the second case and to mount a recording medium on the second case.

It is also possible to use a construction where the case body includes a back plate that is connected to the first case and the second case at opposite edges thereof to join the first case and the second case, and where the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed. With this construction, it is possible to manufacture the recording medium storage case by a single injection molding operation, for example, and to thereby sufficiently reduce the manufacturing cost. Here, if the thickness of the main plate of the first case, the thickness of the main plate of the second case, and the thickness of the back plate are all set equal, when the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed by injection molding, by providing a molding gate (a resin introducing hole) in the center of the back plate, for example, it becomes possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to the main plates and the back plate. This means that with this construction, it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks in the main plates and the back plate.

It should be noted that the disclosure of the present invention relates to the contents of Japanese Patent Application 2006-54381 that was filed on 1 Mar. 2006 and Japanese Patent Application 2006-55022 that was also filed on 1 Mar. 2006, the entire contents of both of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage case and two recording media;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the storage case when looking from the outer surface side of the storage case when the storage case is open;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a case body and a holding member when the storage case is open;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage case when looking from the inner surface side of the storage case when the storage case is open;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an engaging portion of a lid and an engaging portion of a bottom when the storage case is open;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an engaging portion of the lid and an engaging portion of the bottom when the lid and the bottom have been fitted together;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the engaging portions of the bottom;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the case body in the periphery of contact portions;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where the holding member has been mounted on the case body;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where a recording medium has been fitted into an opening in the holding member; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where two recording media have been mounted on the main plate of the bottom.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of a recording medium storage case according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.

The recording medium storage case 1 (hereinafter simply “storage case 1”) shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is one example of a recording medium storage case according to the present invention, includes a case body 2 and a holding member 3, and is constructed so as to be capable of storing one or two of the recording media 100 shown in FIG. 1 (as one example, mini digital video tapes) in an enclosure 2 a of the case body 2. The case body 2 includes a lid 11 and a bottom 12 that can fit together, a back plate 13, and a sheet 14 (see FIG. 2), and as shown in FIG. 1 is constructed so as to have the overall shape of a rectangular solid when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together. As one example, the lid 11, the bottom 12, and the back plate 13 can be integrally formed by injection molding a resin material.

The lid 11 corresponds to a “first case” for the present invention and as shown in FIG. 3, includes a main plate 21 and side plates 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c (hereinafter referred to as the “side plates 22” when no distinction is required) that are erected along edges of the main plate 21, and is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the bottom 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main plate 21 is formed of a rectangular plate (more specifically, an oblong plate). The main plate 21 is formed so that an edge 21 a where the main plate 21 is joined to the back plate 13 and a central portion 21 b of the main plate 21 are formed thinner than outer portions 21 c to 21 f (see FIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side of the main plate 21 (i.e., the opposite side of the main plate 21 to the enclosure 2 a). The central portion 21 b is formed so as to be translucent (or transparent) so that the recording media 100 stored inside the case body 2 are visible.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of ribs 23 are formed on the respective inner surfaces of the side plates 22 a and 22 b of the lid 11. When the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together, front ends of the ribs 23 contact the outer surfaces of outer walls 32 a and 32 b (described later) of the bottom 12 and function so as to prevent the lid 11 and the bottom 12 from rattling. When the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together, the front end surfaces of the ribs 23 approach (or contact) the front end surfaces of the outer walls 32 a and 32 b so that if an external force is applied to the lid 11, the front end surfaces of the ribs 23 will contact the front end surfaces of the outer walls 32 a and 32 b and thereby prevent deformation of the side plates 22 a and 22 b.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, engaging portions 24 a and 24 b (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “engaging portions 24” when no distinction is required) are formed at both ends of an opposite edge of the lid 11 to the edge where the lid 11 is joined to the back plate 13 (i.e., the opposite edge of the lid 11 to the back plate 13). When the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together, the engaging portions 24 a and 24 b respectively engage engaging portions 34 a and 34 b (see FIGS. 3 and 4: collectively referred to as the “engaging portions 34” when no distinction is required) of the bottom 12, described later, and function so as to prevent the lid 11 and the bottom 12 from coming apart. In more detail, the engaging portions 24 a and 24 b include protruding portions 51 and wall portions 52.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the protruding portions 51 are formed at both ends of the inner surface of the side plate 22 c and have elongated forms that extend parallel to the length of the side plate 22 c. As shown in FIG. 5, the protruding portions 51 are formed at intermediate positions in the height direction of the side plate 22 c. In addition, each protruding portion 51 is formed with a substantially triangular cross-sectional form so that the top protrudes outward by the greatest amount and the amount of protrusion gradually falls toward the bottom of the protruding portion 51. The corner where the protruding portion 51 protrudes outward the furthest (i.e., the front end of the protruding portion 51) is rounded. As shown in FIG. 6, each protruding portion 51 engages a concave portion 62 of a corresponding engaging portion 34 of the bottom 12 when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are fitted together. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, inclined surfaces 53 that are inclined from the inner surface of the side plate 22 c toward the outer surface are formed on the inner surface of the side plate 22 c at positions closer to the front end of the side plate 22 c than the protruding portions 51.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, each wall portion 52 is erected on the main plate 21 so as to face a position on the side plate 22 c where a corresponding protruding portion 51 is formed. The wall portions 52 are formed so as to be thinner than the base end portion of the side plate 22 c. The wall portions 52 are formed with a height that is equal to or substantially equal to the distance from the main plate 21 to the front ends (i.e., the furthest protruding parts) of the protruding portions 51. As shown in FIG. 6, gaps 54 are formed between the wall portions 52 and the side plate 22 c so that front ends 61 a of insertion portions 61 of the engaging portions 34 that are inserted into these gaps 54 can be held between the wall portions 52 and the side plate 22 c.

The bottom 12 corresponds to a “second case” for the present invention and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom 12 includes a main plate 31 and outer walls 32 a to 32 d and partition walls 33 a and 33 b that are disposed on the main plate 31. The bottom 12 is constructed so as to fit together with the lid 11 with the outer walls 32 a to 32 d positioned inside the side plates 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c (in more detail, inside a rectangular (oblong) region defined by the side plates 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c). As shown in FIG. 1, when the bottom 12 has been fitted together with the lid 11, the enclosure 2 a that can store two recording media 100 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main plate 31 is formed of a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) plate. The main plate 31 is formed so that a central portion 31 a thereof is thinner than edges 31 b and 31 c (the left and right edges in FIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side (i.e., the opposite side of the main plate 31 to the enclosure 2 a). In this example, the thickness of the central portion 31 a is set equal to the thickness of the central portion 21 b of the main plate 21 of the lid 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer walls 32 a to 32 d (hereinafter referred to simply as the “outer walls 32” when no distinction is required) are erected along the edges of the main plate 31. A plurality of ribs 42 are respectively formed on inner surfaces of the outer walls 32 a to 32 c. As shown in FIG. 11, the formation positions of the ribs 42 are set so as to avoid positions that are opposite concave/convex portions 101 formed in the side surfaces of the recording media 100 when the recording media 100 are mounted on the main plate 31 (i.e., when the recording media 100 are stored in the enclosure 2 a). As shown in FIG. 11, the ribs 42 and the outer walls 32 contact three out of the four side surfaces of the recording media 100 mounted on the main plate 31 and function so as to prevent the recording media 100 from rattling. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the outer walls 32 are formed so that the heights at both ends of each outer wall 32 are slightly lower than the height of the recording media 100 (that is, the thickness of the recording media 100) when the recording media 100 have been mounted on the main plate 31. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a cutaway portion 41 is formed in a central portion in the length direction of each outer wall 32. That is, each outer wall 32 is formed so that the height at the central portion in the length direction is lower than the height at both ends.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer wall 32 c is erected at a position set so that a gap is produced between the outer wall 32 c and the side plate 22 c of the lid 11 when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are fitted together. As shown in FIG. 7, rectangular cutaway portions 43 are formed at both ends of the outer wall 32 c. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 8, elongated contact portions 44 that extend in the height direction of the outer wall 32 d are formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 32 d, which is adjacent to the back plate 13, at both ends of the outer wall 32 d. As shown in FIG. 8, the contact portions 44 contact the back plate 13 when the back plate 13 is folded upward and therefore function so as to keep the angle by which the back plate 13 is bent with respect to the main plate 31 at 90° or substantially 90°.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the engaging portions 34 a and 34 b are formed at both ends of the outer wall 32 c. The engaging portions 34 a and 34 b are constructed so as to be capable of engaging the engaging portions 24 a and 24 b of the lid 11. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the engaging portions 34 are constructed so as to include the insertion portions 61 and concave portions 62 that are formed in the insertion portions 61. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the insertion portions 61 are formed (disposed) at the positions where the cutaway portions 43 are formed in the outer wall 32 c. As shown in FIG. 6, when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are fitted together, the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 are inserted into the gaps 54 between the wall portions 52 and the formation positions of the protruding portions 51 on the side plate 22 c. As shown in FIG. 7, the concave portions 62 are formed as channels that extend in the length direction of the outer wall 32 c. As shown in FIG. 5, each concave portion 62 is formed with a substantially triangular cross-sectional form so that the bottom thereof is depressed by the greatest amount and so that the depressed amount gradually decreases toward the top. The corner where the concave portion 62 is depressed by the greatest amount is rounded. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the concave portions 62 fit together with the protruding portions 51 when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together.

As shown in FIG. 3, the partition walls 33 a and 33 b (hereinafter referred to as the “partition walls 33” when no distinction is required) are erected (disposed) on the main plate 31 so as to protrude inward (i.e., toward the center of the main plate 31) from central portions in the length direction of the outer walls 32 c and 32 d. As shown in FIG. 11, the partition walls 33 respectively contact the remaining side surface out of the four side surfaces of each recording medium 100 mounted on the main plate 31 and function so as to prevent the recording media 100 from rattling. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, together with the outer walls 32, the partition walls 33 function so as to define two mounting regions A1, A2, on each of which a single recording medium 100 can be mounted, on the main plate 31.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the back plate 13 is formed as a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) plate. As shown in FIG. 2, one out of a pair of opposite edges 13 a and 13 b (in this example, the edge 13 a) is joined to the main plate 21 of the lid 11 and the other out of the edges 13 a and 13 b (in this example, the edge 13 b) is joined to the main plate 31 of the bottom 12. In this way, the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are joined via the back plate 13. Here, grooves 15 that are V-shaped in cross section are formed in the enclosure 2 a-side surface (i.e., the near side with respect to the plane of FIG. 4) of the join between the back plate 13 and the main plate 21 of the lid 11 and in the enclosure 2 a-side surface (i.e., the near side with respect to the plane of FIG. 4) of the join between the back plate 13 and the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 to make it easy to bend the back plate 13 and the lid 11 and easy to bend the back plate 13 and the bottom 12. A central portion 13 c of the back plate 13 is formed thinner than edges 13 d and 13 e (see FIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side thereof (i.e., the opposite side of the main plate 21 to the enclosure 2 a).

The thickness of the central portion 13 c is set equal to the thickness of the central portion 21 b of the main plate 21 of the lid 11. That is, the thickness of the central portion 21 b of the main plate 21 of the lid 11, the thickness of the central portion 31 a of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12, and the thickness of the central portion 13 c of the back plate 13 are set equal. This means that when the lid 11, the bottom 12, and the back plate 13 are integrally formed by injection molding a resin material, by providing a molding gate 13 f (a resin introducing hole: see FIG. 2) for example in the center of the back plate 13, it is possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to the main plates 21 and 31 and the back plate 13. This means it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks in the main plates 21 and 31 and the back plate 13.

The sheet 14 is formed in a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) shape using transparent resin and as shown in FIG. 2 is disposed so as to cover the outer surface-side (i.e., the opposite side to the enclosure 2 a) of the central portion 31 a of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and the outer surface-side of the central portion 13 c of the back plate 13. That is, the sheet 14 is disposed over the depressed parts in the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and the back plate 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet 14 is fixed by welding an edge 14 a of the sheet 14 to an opposite edge of the bottom 12 to the join between the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and the back plate 13 (i.e., the bottom edge of the bottom 12 in FIG. 2) and welding an opposite edge 14 b to the edge 14 a to the edge 21 a of the main plate 21 of the lid 11. Neither of the other edges of the sheet 14 (i.e., the edges 14 c and 14 d) is fixed to the lid 11, the bottom 12, and the back plate 13. With this construction, gaps are produced between the sheet 14 and the main plate 31 and back plate 13, which makes it possible to insert a label or the like between the sheet 14 and the main plate 31 and back plate 13 from either the edge 14 c side or the edge 14 d side.

As described above, with the storage case 1, the sheet 14 is disposed in the depressed part of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and in the depressed part of the back plate 13. This means that it is possible to avoid a situation where the sheet 14 rises outward (i.e., protrudes outward) beyond the edges 31 b and 31 c of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 or beyond the edges 13 d and 13 e of the back plate 13.

The holding member 3 is formed of a resin foam, for example, and is constructed so as to fit into the enclosure 2 a of the case body 2. More specifically as shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 3 is constructed in a plate-like shape with the same planar form as the rectangular (more specifically, oblong) region defined by the outer walls 32 on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the thickness of the holding member 3 is set so as to be slightly lower than the height of both end portions of the outer walls 32 when the holding member 3 has been mounted on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, slits 3 b are formed in the center in the length direction of the two longer edges out of the four edges of the holding member 3. When the holding member 3 is mounted on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12, as shown in FIG. 9, the partition walls 33 a and 33 b of the bottom 12 fit into the slits 3 b to restrict movement of the holding member 3 relative to the bottom 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 3 a that has the same planar form as one recording medium 100 and in which one recording medium 100 can be fitted is formed in the center of the holding member 3 so that a recording medium 100 can be fitted into and held inside the opening 3 a. Cutaway portions 3 c are formed in the two shorter edges out of the four edges of the holding member 3 that form the opening 3 a. The user can insert his/her fingers into these cutaway portions 3 c to take hold of a recording medium 100 that has been inserted into the opening 3 a when removing the recording medium 100 from the holding member 3.

Usage of the storage case 1 will be described next with reference to the drawings. This description starts as shown in FIG. 1 with the holding member 3 enclosed in the enclosure 2 a of the case body 2 and the bottom 12 and the lid 11 having been fitted together to close the case body 2.

With the storage case 1, when the case body 2 is closed, the engaging portions 24 of the lid 11 and the engaging portions 34 of the bottom 12 engage one another and prevent the lid 11 and the bottom 12 from coming apart. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 of the engaging portions 34 are inserted into the gaps 54 formed by the side plate 22 c of the lid 11 and the wall portions 52 of the engaging portions 24 and the concave portions 62 formed in the insertion portions 61 fit together with the protruding portions 51 of the engaging portions 24.

When storing one recording medium 100 for example in the storage case 1 (the case body 2), the user places his/her fingers on the opposite edge of the lid 11 to the edge where the lid 11 and the back plate 13 are joined (i.e., on the left edge of the lid 11 in FIG. 1) and on the opposite edge of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 to the edge where the bottom 12 and the back plate 13 are joined (i.e., on the left edge of the bottom 12 in FIG. 1) and applies force to pull the lid 11 and the bottom 12 apart. When doing so, the protruding portions 51 are released from engagement with the concave portions 62 so that the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 are pulled out of the gaps 54. By doing so, the engaging portions 24 and the engaging portions 34 are disengaged, thereby separating the lid 11 and the bottom 12.

With the storage case 1, since the engaging portions 24 are provided with the wall portions 52, even if the user's fingers contact the side plate 22 c when pulling the lid 11 and the bottom 12 apart, thereby creating a force which pushes the side plate 22 c inward (i.e., toward the enclosure 2 a), the side plate 22 c is prevented from becoming inwardly inclined, i.e., the side plate 22 c is prevented from collapsing inward by the wall portions 52. Since it is possible to avoid a situation where the side plate 22 c collapses inward, which would result in the concave portions 62 and the protruding portions 51 fitting together more tightly and therefore becoming difficult to separate, it will be possible to disengage the engaging portions 24 and the engaging portions 34 using an appropriate amount of force. This means that the lid 11 and the bottom 12 can be smoothly separated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the case body 2 is opened. After this, as shown in FIG. 10, a recording medium 100 is fitted into the opening 3 a of the holding member 3 mounted on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12. Since the holding member 3 is formed of resin foam that is highly elastic, the recording medium 100 is securely held by the holding member 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the back plate 13 is folded over toward the bottom 12. When doing so, the back plate 13 is pressed against the contact portions 44 formed on the outer surface of the outer wall 32 c of the bottom 12 so that the angle by which the back plate 13 is bent with respect to the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 is kept at substantially 90°. After this, the lid 11 is folded over toward the bottom 12.

When doing so, the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are fitted together and the engaging portions 24 of the lid 11 and the engaging portions 34 of the bottom 12 come into engagement with the outer walls 32 a to 32 d of the bottom 12 positioned inside the side plates 22 a to 22 c of the lid 11, that is, with the lid 11 covering the bottom 12. More specifically, the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 of the engaging portions 34 are inserted into the gaps 54 formed by the side plate 22 c of the lid 11 and the wall portions 52 of the <engaging portions 24. When doing so, as described above, by folding over the back plate 13 while the back plate 13 presses against the contact portions 44 of the bottom 12, the angle by which the back plate 13 is bent with respect to the main plate 31 is kept at substantially 90°, and therefore when the lid 11 is folded over toward the bottom 12, the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 are reliably inserted into the gaps 54 without striking the front ends of the wall portions 52. Also, since the inclined surfaces 53 are formed on the inner surface of the side plate 22 c at positions closer to the front end of the side plate 22 c than the protruding portions 51, when the lid 11 is folded over onto the bottom 12, even if the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 strike the inner surface of the side plate 22 c, the front ends 61 a of the insertion portions 61 will be guided by the inclined surfaces 53 and smoothly inserted into the gaps 54. Since the insertion portions 61 are formed so that the front ends 61 a are no higher than the outer wall 32 c, even if the front end of the side plate 22 c of the lid 11 strikes the front end of the outer wall 32 c of the bottom 12 when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 are fitted together, for example, deformation of and damage to the insertion portions 61 are definitely avoided.

Next, the lid 11 is pressed onto the bottom 12. When doing so, the concave portions 62 formed in the insertion portions 61 and the protruding portions 51 of the engaging portions 24 fit together. Since the front ends of the protruding portions 51 are rounded, the protruding portions 51 are smoothly inserted into the concave portions 62 and therefore the protruding portions 51 and the concave portions 62 can be smoothly fitted together. Also, as described above, the wall portions 52 are formed thinner than the base end portion of the side plate 22 c and with a height set equal to the distance from the main plate 21 to the front ends of the protruding portions 51. If the wall portions 52 were too thick or too low, the wall portions 52 would be too rigid, which would obstruct movement of the insertion portions 61 toward the inside (i.e., toward the enclosure 2 a) when the concave portions 62 and the protruding portions 51 are fitted together. This would make it difficult to fit the concave portions 62 and the protruding portions 51 together. Conversely, if the wall portions 52 were too thick or too high, the wall portions 52 would be insufficiently rigid, which would make it difficult to prevent the side plate 22 c from collapsing inward when a force that presses the side plate 22 c inward (i.e., toward the enclosure 2 a) is applied. Therefore, by setting the thickness and height as described above, it is possible to form the wall portions 52 with appropriate rigidity. Accordingly, movement of the insertion portions 61 toward the inside when the concave portions 62 and the protruding portions 51 are fitted together is permitted and movement of the insertion portions 61 toward the inside when a force that presses the side plate 22 c toward the inside is applied is reliably restricted.

By doing so, the bottom 12 and the lid 11 are fitted together and the engaging portions 24 and the engaging portions 34 are brought into engagement, thereby preventing the lid 11 and the bottom 12 from coming apart. In this state, the front ends of the ribs 23 formed in the side plates 22 a and 22 b of the lid 11 contact the outer surfaces of the outer walls 32 a and 32 b of the bottom 12, thereby reliably preventing the lid 11 and the bottom 12 from rattling. Since the front end surfaces of the ribs 23 approach (or contact) the front end surfaces of the side walls 32 a and 32 b, even if an external force is applied to the lid 11, for example, the front end surfaces of the ribs 23 will contact the front end surfaces of the outer walls 32 a and 32 b, thereby preventing deformation of the side plates 22 a and 22 b. By carrying out the operation described above, storage of one recording medium 100 in the storage case 1 is completed.

Next, when a further recording medium 100 is stored in a storage case 1 that already stores one recording medium 100 (i.e., when two recording media 100 are stored), first the case body 2 is opened using the method described earlier. Next, the recording medium 100 that is already stored is taken out of the opening 3 a in the holding member 3. With the storage case 1, the cutaway portions 3 c are formed in the edges of the opening 3 a. Since the recording medium 100 can be held between the user's fingers that have been inserted into these cutaway portions 3 c, the recording medium 100 can be easily taken out of the holding member 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding member 3 is also taken out of the bottom 12.

After this, as shown in FIG. 11, the recording medium 100 described above that has been removed from the holding member 3, for example, is mounted on the mounting region A1 on the main plate 31 that is defined by the outer walls 32 a, 32 c, and 32 d of the bottom 12 and the partition walls 33 a and 33 b. Since the cutaway portions 41 are formed in the central portions in the length direction of the outer walls 32, it is possible for the user to easily hold the recording medium 100 between his/her fingers, and therefore it is possible to easily mount a recording medium 100 on the bottom 12 or to take a recording medium 100 off the bottom 12.

Next, another recording medium 100 is mounted on the mounting region A2 on the main plate 31 that is defined by the outer walls 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d of the bottom 12 and the partition walls 33 a and 33 b. Since the ribs 42 formed in the side walls 32 a to 32 c, the outer wall 32 c, and the partition walls 33 contact the respective side surfaces of the recording media 100, the recording media 100 mounted on the main plate 31 are reliably prevented from rattling. Next, the bottom 12 and the lid 11 are fitted together as described above. By doing so, storage of two recording media 100 in the storage case 1 is completed.

Next, when the two recording media 100 are removed from a storage case 1 that stores two recording media 100 and one recording medium 100 is stored in the storage case 1, the case body 2 is opened as described above. After the two recording media 100 have been removed, as shown in FIG. 9, the holding member 3 is mounted on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12. When doing so, the holding member 3 is mounted so that the partition walls 33 a and 33 b of the bottom 12 are fitted into the slits 3 b of the holding member 3. By doing so, movement of the holding member 3 relative to the bottom 12 is restricted. Next, after a desired recording medium 100 out of the two recording media 100 that have been removed has been fitted into the opening 3 a of the holding member 3, the bottom 12 and the lid 11 are fitted together. By doing so, the storage of one recording medium 100 in the storage case 1 is completed.

With the storage case 1, it is possible to insert a label or the like into the gap between the sheet 14 and the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and the back plate 13. With the storage case 1, since a large label or the like with a shape corresponding to the total of the area of the central portion 31 a that makes up the majority of the main plate 31 and the area of the central portion 13 c that makes up the majority of the back plate 13 can be inserted, it is possible to present a lot of information relating to the recording media 100 stored in the storage case 1 on the label or the like. Also, with the storage case 1, as described above, a situation is avoided where the sheet 14 rises further outward than the edges 31 b and 31 c of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 and/or the edges 13 d and 13 e of the back plate 13. This means that even if a plurality of storage cases 1 are stored in a row on a shelf or the like, when individual storage cases 1 are taken from or inserted back onto the shelf, it is possible to avoid a situation where the sheet 14 catches on an adjacent storage case 1 and/or the sheet 14 becomes pulled off the storage case 1.

In this way, since the storage case 1 includes the case body 2, which forms the enclosure 2 a in which two recording media 100 can be stored when the lid 11 and the bottom 12 have been fitted together, and the holding member 3 that is constructed so as to fit into the enclosure 2 a and in which the opening 3 a that can store one recording medium 100 is formed, when one recording medium 100 is stored, the recording medium 100 can be reliably held by the holding member 3 without rattling. Also, when two recording media 100 are stored, the recording media 100 can be reliably held without rattling by the outer walls 32, the partition walls 33, and the like that construct the case body 2. That is, with the storage case 1, regardless of whether one recording medium 100 is being stored or whether two recording media 100 are being stored, the recording media 100 can be reliably stored without rattling. Accordingly, regardless of whether one recording medium 100 is being stored and/or carried or whether two recording media 100 are being stored and/or carried, the storage case 1 can be used without affecting the fundamental object of the storage case 1, that is, to protect the recording media 100, thereby improving usability for users.

Also, according to the storage case 1, by forming the cutaway portions 3 c in the edges of the opening 3 a of the holding member 3, when a stored recording medium 100 is taken out of the opening 3 a, the user can insert his/her fingers into the cutaway portions 3 c and hold the recording medium 100 between his/her fingers. This means it is possible to easily take the recording medium 100 out of the holding member 3.

Also since the storage case 1 includes the outer walls 32 disposed at the edges of the main plate 31 and the partition walls 33 that are disposed on the main plate 31 and together with the outer walls 32 form the two mounting regions A1 and A2, in which the recording media 100 can be mounted, on the main plate 31, by simply mounting the recording media 100 in the defined mounting regions A1 and A2, it is possible to have two recording media 100 reliably held by the outer walls 32 and the partition walls 33. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently improve operability when two recording media 100 are stored.

Also, with the storage case 1, since the cutaway portions 41 are formed in the central portions of the outer walls 32 in the length direction, it is easy for the user to take hold of a recording medium 100 mounted on the main plate 31 of the bottom 12 between his/her fingers. It is also possible to avoid contact between the user's fingers and the outer walls 32 when a recording medium 100 held between the user's fingers is mounted on the main plate 31. This means it is easy to take a recording medium 100 off the bottom 12 and to mount a recording medium 100 on the bottom 12.

Also, with the storage case 1, by constructing the case body 2 so as to include the back plate 13 which joins the lid 11 and the bottom 12 and integrally forming the lid 11, the bottom 12, and the back plate 13, it is possible to manufacture the storage case 1 by a single injection molding operation, for example, and to thereby sufficiently reduce the manufacturing cost. With the storage case 1, the thickness of the central portion 21 b of the main plate 21 of the lid 11, the thickness of the central portion 31 a of the main plate 31 of the bottom 12, and the thickness of the central portion 13 c of the back plate 13 are all set equal. This means that when the lid 11, the bottom 12, and the back plate 13 are injection molded, by providing the molding gate 13 f (a resin introducing hole) in the center of the back plate 13, for example, it becomes possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to the main plates 21 and 31 and the back plate 13. This means that with the storage case 1, it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks in main plates 21 and 31 and the back plate 13.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the construction described above. For example, although a storage case 1 that can store mini digital video tapes as one example of the recording media 100 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a storage case for various types of recording medium. The shape of the holding member 3 and the number and shapes of the cutaway portions 3 c of the holding member 3 are not limited to the example described above and may be changed as appropriate. Also, although an example where the holding member 3 is formed of resin foam is described above, it is also possible to form the holding member 3 using other types of material such as paper. Also, although an example has been described where the outer walls 32 are formed with the cutaway portions 41 in the central portions thereof in the length direction so that the height at the central portions is lower than the height at both ends, it is also possible to use the opposite construction where the outer walls 32 are formed so that both ends thereof are lower than the central portions. It is also possible to use a construction where a plurality of F cutaway portions 41 are formed in one outer wall 32. 

1. A recording medium storage case comprising: a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.
 2. A recording medium storage case according to claim 1, wherein cutaway portions are formed in edges of the opening in the holding member.
 3. A recording medium storage case according to claim 1, wherein the second case comprises: a main plate; outer walls disposed at edges of the main plate; and at least one partition wall that is disposed on the main plate and together with the outer walls defines two mounting regions in which the recording media can be mounted.
 4. A recording medium storage case according to claim 3, wherein the main plate is rectangularly formed, the outer walls are formed at least one pair of opposite edges of the main plate, and cutaway portions are formed in the outer walls at respective central portions in a length direction of the outer walls.
 5. A recording medium storage case according to claim 1, wherein the case body includes a back plate that is connected to the first case and the second case at opposite edges thereof to join the first case and the second case, and the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed. 